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From Asa Gray 10 and 14 March [1871]1

Cambridge. Mass.

March 10,—

My Dear Darwin

It is very good of you to send me, and so kindly address, a copy of your new book,—which safely reached me two days ago. I have not yet had time to read any of it, except the preface and the ending; and I do not like to dip into it and so blunt the edge of curiosity, so I keep it well out of sight,—not caring to look just yet at any of the pages which you think likely to “aggravate” me; until some day I can get a good pull at it.2

Now as to your request in letter of Feb. 5.— question on expression as to Laura Bridgman.3 Dr. Howe would be the person to apply to. But he is in San Domingo, one of those commissioners to see what sort of Fellow-citizens those tropical blacks will make.4 So I addressed your request in a polite note to his wife, begging that she would send it on to the person—I know not who—now in charge of Laura B. at the Asylum. As yet I have no answer. And as Mrs. Howe is a remarkable person and very much occupied with the woman-question,5 she may have tossed my letter into her waste paper basket. Yet I think not. If nothing comes of it I will devise some other way of access,— will apply to Dr. Howe when he returns, if there still be time.

Wyman6 is away, in Florida, getting rid of winter and cough,—with good success, I hear.

March 14. Nothing yet from Mrs. Howe. But I hear that Dr. Howe may be back before very long.

My wife7 joins in best remembrances to you and yours. She is not very well and we are both over-busy.